This time, I will be illustrating a fellow named Elias Morris. Here is the description for the project’s Facebook event:

Elias Morris was a young stone mason in Wales, after serving his apprenticeship under the guidance of his father, hired himself out to the contractor of the Conway Castle and the Conway Bridge. This work completed, he went to Liverpool to gain a wider experience in his trade. Upon returning to Wales a year or so later to visit his folks, he heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ, was converted, and soon started on the long journey to Zion. Reaching Council Bluffs in May, 1852, he met his betrothed, who had preceded him to this country. They were married and immediately started on their trip across the plains. At Independence Rock, Wyoming, the young stone mason had the first urge to ply his trade. He took his chisel from his bag and carved in everlasting letters: ELIAS MORRIS and his wife, MARY P. MORRIS. Hundreds of names are scratched upon that Register of the Desert—some still legible—but the expert carving of his name earned for him the title “first stone cutter of Utah.”
He became a famous tombstone maker which more is written about he and his company.

Admittedly, I don’t make very many sales on my online store The Poet and the Flea Market, so I get very excited when I do! The best part is sending my work all over the world — UK, Australia, Sweden, Czech Republic…

Right now, I’m trying to finish the first volume (95 pages) of The Poet and the Flea and could use a little extra cash to pay for various supplies including ink refills, replacement nibs, and Bristol board. So I’ve decided to create a special end of the year deal on The Poet and the Flea Market to encourage everyone to order now!

Buy any one or more items on The Poet and the Flea Market (thepoetandtheflea.storenvy.com) starting today (October 24th, 2014) to the end of 2014 (December 31st, 2014), receive one POET OVAL BUTTON (see image below) as a FREE GIFT (while supplies last)!!!

Furthermore, buy any one or more items on The Poet and the Flea Market (thepoetandtheflea.storenvy.com) on November 28th — William Blake’s birthday — and receive (in addition to the button) one 5-by-7-inch, full-color ART PRINT as a FREE GIFT (just remember to indicate the name of the print under “Instructions to merchant,” otherwise you’ll receive a random one)!!!

5″ x 7″ Print: “The Quick Brown Fox Jumps Over The Lazy Dog”

5″ x 7″ Print: “Death and the Dreamer”

5″ x 7″ Print: “To Generalize is to be an Idiot”

Thank you very much for your support and I look forward to filling your orders!!!

I had a wonderful time at SPX 2014, my second time attending and exhibiting at this event (which happens to take place in the very same room of my high school prom — surreal!). I was able to reconnect with a few artists I met last year, discover some really amazing artists I haven’t encountered before, and finally meet a few artists I’ve come to know online in person.

The first time I was exposed to Charles Burns’s work was through Mark Morris’s The Hard Nut, which I used to watch over and over again on a VHS recording as a kid. Years later, I revisited The Hard Nut and consequently really got into Burns’s Black Hole. I was ecstatic to hear the Burns would be at SPX! To my absolute surprise, I was first in line. Not only did I get his autograph and chat with him, but he seemed excited to receive a copy of The Poet and the Flea preview zine. :)

I’ve been following Noah Van Sciver for a few years now and really admire his unique style and use of historical characters and events. I actually picked up A City of Whisky & Fire and The Death of Elijah Lovejoy at Forbidden Planet during my last trip to New York, but brought them with me to get his autograph. I also picked up a copy of his new zine Slow Graffiti which has some interesting, more contemporary stories. It was wonderful meeting Noah and I hope to see him again next year!

I was so excited to finally me Ryan Thompson in person!!! I’ve admired his work (Comics I Admire: “Frolic”) for a few years now and was excited to receive his zine Esper’s Toxin. He and his girlfriend were really sweet and I can’t wait for him to reboot Frolic! :D

After meeting Santi at DC Zinefest in August, I wanted to get my hands on a copy of the full collection of Lunatic Tales, inspired by old-fashioned cartoons. Through Twitter, I asked Santi to bring one to SPX for me and was ready to pay the full $10 for it, but he gave it to be for free! (I insisted he take a few of my art prints, so I didn’t feel guilty.) I can’t wait to have a moment to sit down and really enjoy this awesome series.

I met Anuj Shrestha at last year’s SPX, immediately fell in love with his series Genus, and bought volumes 1 through 3. So I just had to get my hands on volume 4 this year. The story reminds me a bit of The Matrix for some reason, but with a floral twist. I was very excited that he remembered me and we had a fun and hilarious chat!

R. Bensen seemed so incredibly excited to pick up a copy of The Poet and the Flea zine, I just had to return the favor. And I’m so glad I did! His work has many biblical themes, but with a wonderful splash of whimsy and mischief. I particularly like The Garden of Earthy Delight, which the artist said was his most accomplished work. Another artist I hope to see next year!

The Garden of Earthly Delight and My Biblical Daydreams #1 by R. Bensen; Spitting Out the Demons by David Hanks and R. Bensen: mybiblicaldaydreams.tumblr.com.

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I was very surprised to see Josceline Fenton at SPX — she traveled all the way from the UK just for this two-day expo! I’ve been following her whimsical webcomic Hemlock for some time now. I was actually a bit nervous to talk to her, but she was so incredibly friendly. She even gave me a free art print (above), which I hope to frame. :D

I just happened to stumble across this little gem that features adorable Jane Austen-esque spiders in empire-waist dresses who accidentally eat their suitors. So charming and clever! I wish there was a whole series!

This is a funny little comic I was given by one of its artists (I’m not sure if it was Alex or Raynato). He was a nice guy and the zine has a cute, little concept that reminds me a bit of Courage the Cowardly Dog and Nodame Cantabile for reasons I can’t quite explain.

These are the zines of my SPX table neighbors Carlos and Bryan! I had a lot of fun chatting with them throughout the expo and I can’t wait to sit down and take a closer look at their work. I’m especially amused by the way in which Bryan draws Carlos — it looks just like him!!

Siren’s Gaze Productions short film trailer will be screened for the first time in the UK at the opening of The Creative Cultural Company’s opening of the POP (Pride of Place) Art Space in Hull’s Princes Quay on Friday February 28th at 6 pm.

Click the pic to see the film

Rich & Lou Duffy-Howard are delighted to contribute the music for Sirens Gaze Productions short film trailer about Robert Louis Stevenson (Treasure Island, Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde) in San Francisco and on Mount Saint Helena. The film – Death Is No Bad Friend – will be written and produced by the excellent US based illustrator and screenwriter G E Gallas who has created a talented and vibrant collaboration of ambitious young women filmmakers, Siren’s Gaze Productions to make the short film.

The Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign is underway. You can see the trailer and read about the team on the campaign page…